Player of the Week
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Boozer strengthened his case for AP Player of the Year with a dominant showing in Duke’s win over Arkansas, finishing with 35 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. He is shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three, giving Duke a reliable finisher inside and a pick-and-pop threat when needed. His poise continues to separate him from most freshmen, consistently reading the floor, drawing fouls, creating second possessions, and defending at a high level, including two steals in Duke’s win over Howard. His ability to impact every area of the game has guided Duke to an 8-0 start and he appears to be improving as the schedule toughens.
Who’s Hot
California Golden Bears (6-1)
California has exceeded expectations with a sharp 6-1 start. Transfers Chris Bell and Dai Dai Ames have powered the offense with around 35 combined points per game, while John Camden provides spacing at 37 percent from three and 95 percent at the line. Since losing to Kansas State, Cal has won three straight, including a statement victory over No. 18 UCLA, positioning them for a potential top-25 push if they sustain this pace.
Chris Bell, California
Chris Bell has thrived in an expanded role after three seasons at Syracuse, averaging 16.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game. He has embraced more responsibility, attacking off the dribble, shooting efficiently, and showing improvement on the defensive end. Bell scored 21 points on 7-11 shooting against Sacramento State and followed with 22 against UCLA. If he continues at this level, he will be in the ACC honors conversation.
Who’s Not
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech’s early momentum has faded after losses to DePaul and Drake, along with shaky showings in narrow wins over Maryland Eastern Shore and Georgia Southern. Despite steady play from Baye Ndongo and Akai Flemming, the team’s youth has shown, and consistency has been hard to find. To stay competitive in the ACC, the Yellow Jackets need to establish a clear identity, likely centered around their frontcourt.
Neoklis Avdalas, Virginia Tech
Avdalas opened the year with a breakout 33-point game against Providence, but his production dipped during the Battle 4 Atlantis. He scored 13 points in each of the first two games and then just eight against VCU, struggling to score efficiently, rebound, or facilitate at his usual level. Despite the recent slump, his season numbers still reflect a strong start, averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on 42.9 percent shooting and 35.0 percent from three across eight games. Virginia Tech relies heavily on Avdalas for creation, and he will look to get back to the form he showed to start the season.
Top Five ACC Teams
1. Duke Blue Devils
Duke survived its toughest test of the season against Arkansas and continues to lean on the dominant frontcourt of Patrick Ngongba II and Cameron Boozer, whose combined offensive rebounding created 25 second-chance points against Arkansas and 23 against Indiana State. With backcourt depth from Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster, Duke has enough balance to withstand cold shooting nights. If they maintain this defensive and rebounding standard, they remain the ACC’s top contender.
2. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville’s high-powered offense has been fueled by Mikel Brown Jr., Ryan Conwell, and Isaac McKneely, who have produced major scoring bursts in recent games. The Cardinals average 96.7 points and nearly 13 made threes per game, while ranking top-three nationally in rebounding. The frontcourt of Sanada Fru and Khani Rhoots adds physicality and rim pressure, giving Louisville a balanced, attacking identity that makes them a legitimate ACC title threat.
3. SMU Mustangs
SMU features an explosive trio in BJ Edwards, Boopie Miller, and Jaron Pierre Jr., reinforced by improved frontcourt play from Corey Washington, who posted 12 points and 10 rebounds against Mississippi State. The Mustangs rank among the nation’s top scoring teams thanks to ball movement and aggressive rebounding. Mississippi State exposed some transition and turnover issues, but an overtie road win showed resilience ahead of a challenging stretch against Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and LSU.
4. Clemson Tigers
Clemson relies on depth and experience, regularly playing ten deep to grind out early-season wins against Georgia and West Virginia. They do not feature a single stat-sheet star, but they excel through defense, rebounding, and execution. As one of the ACC’s most veteran rosters, they are well built for tight games, and Brad Brownell’s group should carry this strong start into conference play.
5. North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina is beginning to feel the absence of Seth Trimble. Their loss to Michigan State underscored the need for backcourt leadership, leaving Luka Bogavac and Kyan Evans to shoulder more responsibility. The Tar Heels may need to lean more on their frontcourt, led by standout freshman Caleb Wilson and reliable interior presence Henri Veesaar, while Jarin Stevenson searches for consistency. UNC’s top-30 defense, anchored by Wilson and Veesaar’s rim protection, keeps them firmly in the ACC’s top tier even without Trimble.